Korean Circulation Journal

The Korean Society of Cardiology (대한심장학회)
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Contrast Echo-A Simple Diagnostic Tool for a Coronary Artery Fistula

  • Hong, Suk-Min (Cardiology Division, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Yoon, Se-Jung (Cardiology Division, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Rim, Se-Joong (Cardiology Division, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • Published : 2012.03.31
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Abstract

Coronary artery fistulas have been diagnosed with aortography, coronary angiography, and coronary computed tomography (CT). A large fistula can be occasionally found as a mass lesion on echocardiography but cannot be easily confirmed. Here, we report a new diagnostic approach to coronary artery fistulas using a contrast agent and transthoracic echocardiography. Transthoracic echocardiography of a 46-year-old female suffering from dyspnea revealed suspicious small turbulent flow in the main pulmonary artery. Following infusion of a contrast agent, we found whitish flow in the main pulmonary artery during the diastolic phase, and aortic CT revealed two huge right coronary artery fistulas in the main pulmonary artery. A simple diagnostic approach to a coronary artery fistula using contrast agent helped us confirm the diagnosis because of the typical diastolic whitish flow in the pulmonary artery.

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References

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